Rice linebacker to honor former Owl, Raven O.J. Brigance

Rice linebacker Cameron Nwosu will change his number this season to honor former Owl O.J. Brigance, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2001 and is now the Ravens’ senior adviser to player development.

The Houston Chroniclereported that Nwosu will wear Brigance’s No. 57, and his teammate, running back Turner Petersen, plans to wear No. 26 to honor former Rice All-American King Hill. Brigance currently stands as Rice’s all-time tackles leader.

“We have made an effort for our players to embrace the great history here at Rice, and a part of that process is to learn more about the players who have worn their numbers in the past,” Rice head coach David Bailiff said. “These two men are tremendous examples of the expectations we place on any young man who comes to Rice. They were outstanding players at Rice who have continued to be outstanding representatives for Rice throughout their professional lives.”

Brigance played seven years in the NFL following a stint in the Canadian Football League. He played just one year with the Ravens during their Super Bowl campaign in the 2000-01 season.

After being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2007, Brigance founded the organization Brigance Brigade, which raises awareness for the disease and money for ALS research and care.